Royal Armouries selects BDP as architect for its landmark Waterfront Development project
The Royal Armouries in Leeds has selected leading international architecture and design practice BDP to take its £100m landmark Waterfront Development project through the next detailed design stages as the project begins to take shape.
The Waterfront Development project will bring new conferencing, cultural, events, hospitality and leisure space to the site, putting Leeds on par with other major event hosts and bringing significant economic opportunity to the region.
BDP took part in a competitive process involving a number of the UK’s top architectural practices to secure the brief, having previously worked on the project’s initial masterplanning phases. The practice has a strong track record in delivering transformative regeneration and city-centre developments, working across architecture, engineering and urban design disciplines to create sustainable, high-quality places that support investment, innovation and long-term growth.
The Waterfront development will be centred on a new 3,500 square metre commercial exhibition and events hall, more than doubling existing facilities to create over 8,000 sqm of conference and events space, and associated spaces.
The project will not only provide world-class event hosting capabilities, building on the Royal Armouries' already successful conference and exhibition activity, but also create a new home for immersive experiences in a purpose-built site next to the museum. The existing conferencing facilities will remain fully open during the redevelopment, as will the museum and New Dock Hall.
“We were impressed by all of the teams that we considered but what really struck me about BDP was the way that they had carefully curated their team to meet the needs of the project and to reflect the things that make the Royal Armouries special. From experts in designing for horses to people with a deep understanding of storytelling within public spaces, they showed an appreciation and affection for the place that complemented our own.
“Finding the right design partner for this project is a crucial step forward towards delivering a development that’s going to help transform the South Bank of Leeds and bring new jobs and new opportunities for a lot of people. I’m confident that BDP get the Royal Armouries, they get Leeds Dock and they get what the project means for the city. I’m really looking forward to working with them.”
“The Royal Armouries already has an extraordinary story and its significance to the regeneration of Leeds feels particularly poignant at this moment in the city’s development. The project gives us an opportunity to create a new destination on the waterfront and at its heart is a simple idea - to bring people together through new creative experiences, live interpretation, and the exchange of ideas. This appointment means a huge amount to BDP and we are immensely proud to be part of the next chapter for this incredible venue.”
The Royal Armouries Waterfront development will be built on the current Tiltyard site, which is home to the outdoor jousting arena. The redeveloped Armouries will provide improved opportunities for this unique spectacle.
The £100m+ redevelopment plans are currently going through the final stages of options appraisal. Planning permission will be submitted for approval to the local authority in 2027.